Willing Heart

Chapter 1: Ruby         Unicorns. People imagined them as beautiful white horses with horns and think they are the purest of good. Humans see them as magical beings with gifted powers. In my eyes, we’re nothing but evil creatures. Today was no different than yesterday. Walking to my job, coffee in hand and some human man talking to me about a sales pitch. Same guy, different clothes. He had blond hair, brown eyes and skin as light as a vampire. He kept trying to sell me some cheap scent made for human women. The scent was revolting at best. Being a unicorn, my sense of smell is higher than a dog. Failing to grab my attention once again, he fled back to his post. I am alone, my own herd didn’t want me near them. I was a burden to them, so, I left, I chose to become ‘Human’ so to speak. I guess I went overboard in my appearance since I cannot get some personal space between me and the wolves of Salem. “If they’re going to act like dogs, they might as well be dogs.” Who am I kidding? Even if they did get to know me, I could never tell them who I am. They’ll want me for their pathetic government experiments. Could I even transform? I don’t know. I’ve been acting human for the past 2 decades. I just hoped my own kind never find me. Who knows what they would do if they found out I haven’t been in my true form for so long.             I went into my office and began working on a case. A single mother who lost her husband in a fight against a gang. I had been able to get information on the who and when. The police caught the bastard and now to put him away for good. Humans are disgusting beings, to be sure, yet the men seem to be the worst. Why do I pretend to be human? Simple. Unicorns have only two forms. Our true form the horse with a catalyst as the point of our magic and human. Much like vampires, however, unicorns don't age. Once we reach the age of 21, we stop aging. The days just seem to collide with one another. I get up, I go to work, I go home and repeat. It is a dull existence; how do humans even do this? I don't have a clue.           Once my work was finished and 5 pm hit, I did the same routine. Passing the same man trying to sell me the same scent. What did I expect from leaving the evil behind? The head of the herd, or Alpha Mare, had been abusing me since I was a foal. Everyone around me was one color. Buckskin, Roan, and Black. Me? I was born as pure as the white snow with a bright red marking on my flank. My parents named me Ruby since it's identical to the red gem in every form. Hell, even in the light it shone like one. Alpha hated me for it. She would claim I was made of pure evil and Satan's vessel. She ordered my parents be killed before my eyes for making such an abomination to the herd. No one, not even the Alpha Stallion went against her. And so, I watched, being held down as she tore their heads off. I remember the sounds of bones breaking away as the flesh tore from the rest of the body. Their screams haunt my every nightmare. I want that b***h dead before I go back and claim the herd as mine.   I hadn't noticed that I stopped walking when a gentle hand was placed on my shoulder, "Miss? Are you okay?" I looked to see whose hand it belong to. And it was no surprise that it happened to be the scent guy. "You're crying and your body is shaking." Was I shaking? I lifted my hand, low and behold, I was shaking. I quickly wiped my tears away and looked back at him.   "Yeah. I'm fine." Lying had never been my strong suit, but as a practicing lawyer, I had to be good at it.   "..." He stared into me with those big brown eyes. I was starting to get nervous. Would he be able to see my true form in them? Or was he just looking for the real answer? "I know this is a bit abrupt and totally not professional." He chuckled nervously. "But I have to ask. Will you go on a date with me?" I had to process what he was asking. Blinking at the thought of him taking me out on a human date? Does he know that I ignore him on a daily basis? Why would he ask me out? “Uh…” Was all I could say. Sure, I had other lawyer men asking me out. I would turn them all down or ignore them too. Can I even date? When was the last time I had a man around me?   “Miss. Ruby, please?” I turned my body to face his. No, I simply cannot go out with a human. Much less a man, I am a mare, I will be the next Alpha Mare once I claim that bitches head.   “I’m sorry. I just don’t have the time.” I tried to be cordial with the poor man. “How did you know my name?” Was he stalking me? I know some humans do that.   “Your coffee cups. Starbucks puts your name on their recyclable cups.” Oh, that would make sense, I guess.   “Look, I am sure you’re a nice guy and all. I just don’t have time for relationships or dating. I hope you find the right girl.” I turned away from him and left. Was I cold? Yes. As a unicorn, we have to be. Our hearts burn like ice that’s been left in the Antarctic for eons. Leadership and power is what desire. Once our hearts turn warm, it’ll be lighting a beacon for all of mythic kind. Dragons would invade, Fairies would regrow the Earth killing off the humans, Vampires killing humans to feed. Mermaids drowning every sailor they can. Yes. We are all real. We live in our own corners of Earth. Some even in different dimensions of Earth. If that beacon were to shine, it would mean war for the world. The humans wouldn’t survive it, other creatures would be tainted with a more powerful bloodlust. I may hate the humans, but I never wish for them to die off.               As I made my way to my apartment, I caught a glimpse of a baby and a mother with the father. They were laughing and being happy, humans aren’t exactly bad creatures, but they did infest our planet. The babies of their kind were innocent and pure. I saw it’s beaming white aura of purity. It’s not their fault they were born to this miserable existence, still I couldn’t help the smile that came to my lips. The baby was happy and cooing while playing with a teething toy. I shook the thought from my mind as I continued to get home. I finally reached my door and opened it. It was humble for someone like me, the walls were made of mahogany wood, the floors were oak and stained. The kitchen was tiled with granite and black granite countertops. Oh, how I missed my bed. I took off my clothes and strewn them about. I lived alone, so who cared if I mess up my own place? It was officially my weekend after all. I was so tired of this place, I wanted to go home to Palmyra Atoll. I decided to take a quick shower before heading to bed for the night. It is only 6 pm, yes, but as a magical being here in the human world, my magic drains me for keeping in my human form. I slipped into my shower and began washing away all the stress I had built up in my muscles. The hot water pooling at my feet made for a comfortable place of mind. About 10 minutes later I got out, dried off and got onto my bed. Then, for the first time in 15 years, I transformed into my truest form to regain my magic. I lay there hoping for sleep to take me. Sure enough, it took me into a deep sleep.